Vitale auction to feature Bobby Knight, John Havlicek

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research fundraising organizations, has announced the start of the Dick Vitale Gala Online Auction, featured at www.jimmyv.cmarket.com.

The online auction features an opportunity to golf with basketball legends, Coach Bob Knight and Boston Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek in conjunction with the Third Annual Dick Vitale Gala on May 16 at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

In addition to golfing with the basketball legends, each winner will receive two tickets to the Dick Vitale Gala and two tickets to a private VIP pre-party with Gala honorees, celebrities and sponsors. Golfers will receive gift bags that include commemorative Gala basketballs signed by Vitale, Knight and Havlicek. Should the bidding exceed $50,000, the winner and their guest will be invited to a private party at the Lakewood Ranch home of Dick and Lorraine Vitale on Saturday, May 17.

“We are excited to offer the public this unique opportunity to golf with these basketball greats,” said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation. “We are grateful to these wonderful men for lending their time to help us raise money to fight this terrible disease.”

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The auction, which raises funds for cancer research through The V Foundation, is open for bidding through April 26. For additional information about the online auction, or the Dick Vitale Gala, contact The V Foundation for Cancer Research at 1-800-4JimmyV (919-380-9505). Gala information is also available at www.jimmyv.org.

The V Foundation for Cancer ResearchThe V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.jimmyv.org.